HMS Hogue (1900)

HMS Hogue was a Cressy-class armoured cruiser of the Royal Navy built in 1900. She was one of six ships of her class, which were designed as improved versions of the Diadem-class cruisers. Hogue was launched in 1900 and commissioned in 1902.

Service History:

Hogue spent the majority of her pre-war career serving in various fleets, including the Mediterranean Fleet and the Home Fleet. In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, she was assigned to the 7th Cruiser Squadron, tasked with patrolling the North Sea to intercept German shipping.

Sinking:

On 22 September 1914, while patrolling off the Dutch coast with her sister ships HMS Aboukir and HMS Cressy, Hogue was torpedoed by the German submarine U-9, commanded by Otto Weddigen. Aboukir had already been torpedoed and sunk. Hogue, attempting to rescue survivors from the Aboukir, remained stationary and became an easy target. She was hit by two torpedoes and quickly capsized and sank. Over 600 officers and men were lost with the ship.

Significance:

The sinking of HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue, and HMS Cressy in a single day by a single U-boat shocked the British public and highlighted the vulnerability of large warships to submarine attack. The event served as a wake-up call to the Royal Navy regarding the growing threat posed by submarines and led to changes in naval tactics and ship design.